Christian Sites to Close in 1-Day Israel Protest

Christian leaders Monday ordered all their holy sites in Israel closed for one day Friday to protest Israel’s support for a new Jewish settlement in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City.

“This action endangers the survival of all Christian communities in the Holy City,” said a statement signed by 10 leaders who represent the major Christian sects in Jerusalem.

Anger at the April 11 takeover of the building owned by the Greek Orthodox Church, in the midst of Easter-week celebrations, was heightened by the government’s admission Sunday that it paid $1.8 million to help pay for leasing the building.

“On Friday, April 27, all Christian holy places in Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem and elsewhere in the Holy Land will close their doors as of 9 a.m. and will not reopen until the following day,” the church leaders wrote.

Anglican Bishop Samir Kafiti of Jerusalem said he believes the protest will mark the first time that all the Christian holy places have been closed.

In Washington, the State Department said Israel’s backing of the new Jewish settlement is “deeply disturbing.” Department spokeswoman Margaret Tutwiler called the settlement “an insensitive and provocative action.”

Reacting to the U.S. criticism, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yosef Amihud said in a statement: “It is the right of Jews to live in any place and to acquire or rent property anywhere in the land of Israel and especially in Jerusalem.”

The sprawling Hospice of St. John, occupied by 150 Jewish settlers, is next door to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, located on the site where Christians believe Jesus was entombed and resurrected.

Israel’s Housing Ministry said Sunday that it paid $1.8 million to cover 40% of the cost of a lease on the building.

The church last week won a court order to evict the settlers, but it has not been enforced. The bailiff’s office Monday gave the settlers 48 hours’ notice of eviction at the request of the church, but security sources said the settlers could appeal.